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{{Short description|American ambassador and political aide (born 1944)}}
'''Edith Huntington Jones "Kit" Dobelle''' (born in 1944) served as [[United States]] [[Chief of Protocol]] from November 3, 1978 to September 26, 1979 under president [[Jimmy Carter]].<ref>[https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/dobelle-edith-huntington-jones Edith Huntington Jones Dobelle (1944–)]</ref><ref>[http://www.nndb.com/gov/830/000127449/ Chief of Protocol]</ref> Her husband, [[Evan Dobelle]], served as Chief of Protocol before her.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/06/archives/evan-and-kit-dobelle-mr-and-mrs-us-protocol-early-carter-supporters.html Evan and Kit Dobelle: Mr. and Mrs. U.S. Protocol]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1978/04/27/shake-up-at-protocol-just-a-family-matter/a031dad9-6e88-4fd5-b831-5fff5fd39ba8/ Shake-Up at Protocol: Just a Family Matter]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1978/02/28/the-new-wife-on-the-capital-scene/e2744f95-842e-4b1e-9513-c1327c85a999/ The New Wife on the Capital Scene]</ref> She was succeeded by [[Abelardo L. Valdez]].
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Edith H. J. Dobelle
| image = Edith Dobelle (cropped).jpg
| caption = Dobelle in 2018
| office = 1st [[Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States]]
| term_start = 1979
| term_end = 1981
| 1blankname = First Lady
| 1namedata = [[Rosalynn Carter]]
| president = [[Jimmy Carter]]
| predecessor = ''Position established''
| successor = [[James Rosebush]]
| office1 = 20th [[Chief of Protocol of the United States]]
| president1 = Jimmy Carter
| term_start1 = November 3, 1978
| term_end1 = September 26, 1979
| predecessor1 = [[Evan Dobelle]]
| successor1 = [[Abelardo L. Valdez]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Evan Dobelle|1970}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|09|02}}
| birth_name = Edith Huntington Jones
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (1976–present)
| otherparty = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (before 1976)
| birth_place = [[Hamden, Connecticut]], U.S.
| education = [[Colby Junior College for Women|Colby Junior College]]
}}

'''Edith Huntington Jones "Kit" Dobelle''' (born September 2, 1944) is an American ambassador and political aide who served as [[Chief of Protocol of the United States]] from 1978 to 1979 and [[Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States|Chief of Staff to the First Lady]] to [[Rosalynn Carter]] from 1979 to 1981. She worked on political campaigns and held roles in state and federal government, including overseeing diplomatic arrangements and managing the First Lady's staff. Dobelle was the second woman to hold the rank of Chief of Protocol, a position with ambassadorial status.

== Early life and education ==
Edith Huntington Jones Dobelle, born on September 2, 1944, in [[Hamden, Connecticut]], grew up on a property cultivated by her [[Conservationist (biology)|conservationist]] father to have a natural appearance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=McManus |first=Margaret |date=1979-05-20 |title=Kit Dobell smooths the affairs of state |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/22003190/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=The Courier-Journal |pages=110 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She graduated from [[Colby Junior College for Women|Colby Junior College]] and subsequently worked at the [[First National Bank of Boston]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Monachina |first=Judith |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Front row seat to history: Pittsfield resident shares her experiences as Carter's chief of protocol |url=https://www.berkshireeagle.com/arts_and_culture/front-row-seat-to-history-pittsfield-resident-shares-her-experiences-as-carters-chief-of-protocol/article_47feb49c-59a4-11eb-aa01-03a6e677744b.html |access-date=2022-02-15 |website=The Berkshire Eagle |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==
Edith Dobelle, often called Kit, expressed an early interest in politics, which led her to volunteer for Maurice Frye's campaign for state representative in a [[Massachusetts]] special election in the 1960s.<ref name=":1" /> Through her involvement, she met her future husband, [[Evan Dobelle]].<ref name=":1" /> They both worked in various political offices and campaigns, including the office of Massachusetts Governor [[John A. Volpe]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The couple married in 1970.<ref name=":1" />

In January 1976, as the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] mayor of [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], Evan Dobelle and Kit met then-presidential candidate [[Jimmy Carter]] during his [[Jimmy Carter 1976 presidential campaign|campaign]] visit to the city.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Soon after, they registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] and actively supported Carter's campaign.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Kit worked in [[Maryland]] and [[Pennsylvania]] for Carter's election, while her husband focused on convention arrangements in [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Following Carter's victory in November 1976, the Dobelles moved to [[Washington, D.C.]], where Kit served as an unpaid assistant to Evan in his role as [[Chief of Protocol of the United States]].<ref name=":0" />

In 1978, Evan Dobelle transitioned to a new role as the treasurer of the [[Democratic National Committee]], and Kit was appointed to replace him as Chief of Protocol, a position with ambassadorial rank requiring Senate confirmation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=1979-08-19 |title=Rosalynn's New Chief Can't Explain Appointment |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-rosalynns-new-ch/159942366/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She served in the role from November 3, 1978 to September 26, 1979 during the [[presidency of Jimmy Carter]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edith Huntington Jones Dobelle - People - Department History - Office of the Historian |url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/dobelle-edith-huntington-jones |website=history.state.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Chief of Protocol |url=https://www.nndb.com/gov/830/000127449/ |website=www.nndb.com}}</ref> She became only the second woman to hold this role, following [[Shirley Temple]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> As Chief of Protocol, she oversaw arrangements for international visits and official ceremonies, including historic events such as the signing of treaties with China in January 1979 during [[Deng Xiaoping]]'s visit and the [[Camp David Accords]] signing on March 29, 1979.<ref name=":0" />

In August 1979, Dobelle was appointed as [[Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States]], [[Rosalynn Carter]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> This newly created position, equivalent in rank and pay to the [[White House Chief of Staff]], involved managing Rosalynn Carter’s 19-member staff and coordinating the First Lady’s activities with senior [[White House]] aides.<ref name=":2" /> Dobelle noted that the specific reasons for establishing the role were not discussed during her appointment but emphasized her focus on ensuring smooth operations both when the First Lady was present and when she was away.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> During her tenure, Dobelle worked closely with Rosalynn Carter, including accompanying her on trips to [[Latin America]].<ref name=":2" /> The two also took Spanish lessons together with Grace Vance and Annette Carter.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Dobelle’s work involved navigating public scrutiny and criticism of the First Lady’s staff, which some observers described as inexperienced and disorganized.<ref name=":2" />


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{Chiefs of Protocol of the United States}}
{{Chiefs of Staff to the First Lady of the United States}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dobelle, Edith}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dobelle, Edith}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Protocol of the United States]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Protocol of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Department of State officials]]
[[Category:Carter administration personnel]]
[[Category:Chiefs of staff to the First Lady of the United States]]
[[Category:Massachusetts Republicans]]
[[Category:Massachusetts Democrats]]
[[Category:Women in Massachusetts politics]]
[[Category:People from Hamden, Connecticut]]
[[Category:American women ambassadors]]
[[Category:American political consultants]]
[[Category:Spouses of American politicians]]
[[Category:Spouses of United States mayors]]
[[Category:Spouses of Massachusetts politicians]]
[[Category:Colby–Sawyer College alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American women]]
[[Category:Dobelle family]]

Latest revision as of 01:17, 9 December 2024

Edith H. J. Dobelle
Dobelle in 2018
1st Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States
In office
1979–1981
PresidentJimmy Carter
First LadyRosalynn Carter
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJames Rosebush
20th Chief of Protocol of the United States
In office
November 3, 1978 – September 26, 1979
PresidentJimmy Carter
Preceded byEvan Dobelle
Succeeded byAbelardo L. Valdez
Personal details
Born
Edith Huntington Jones

(1944-09-02) September 2, 1944 (age 80)
Hamden, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (1976–present)
Other political
affiliations		Republican (before 1976)
Spouse
Evan Dobelle
​
(m. 1970)​
EducationColby Junior College

Edith Huntington Jones "Kit" Dobelle (born September 2, 1944) is an American ambassador and political aide who served as Chief of Protocol of the United States from 1978 to 1979 and Chief of Staff to the First Lady to Rosalynn Carter from 1979 to 1981. She worked on political campaigns and held roles in state and federal government, including overseeing diplomatic arrangements and managing the First Lady's staff. Dobelle was the second woman to hold the rank of Chief of Protocol, a position with ambassadorial status.

Early life and education

[edit]

Edith Huntington Jones Dobelle, born on September 2, 1944, in Hamden, Connecticut, grew up on a property cultivated by her conservationist father to have a natural appearance.[1] She graduated from Colby Junior College and subsequently worked at the First National Bank of Boston.[1][2]

Career

[edit]

Edith Dobelle, often called Kit, expressed an early interest in politics, which led her to volunteer for Maurice Frye's campaign for state representative in a Massachusetts special election in the 1960s.[2] Through her involvement, she met her future husband, Evan Dobelle.[2] They both worked in various political offices and campaigns, including the office of Massachusetts Governor John A. Volpe.[1][2] The couple married in 1970.[2]

In January 1976, as the Republican mayor of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Evan Dobelle and Kit met then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter during his campaign visit to the city.[1][2] Soon after, they registered as Democrats and actively supported Carter's campaign.[1][2] Kit worked in Maryland and Pennsylvania for Carter's election, while her husband focused on convention arrangements in New York.[1][2] Following Carter's victory in November 1976, the Dobelles moved to Washington, D.C., where Kit served as an unpaid assistant to Evan in his role as Chief of Protocol of the United States.[1]

In 1978, Evan Dobelle transitioned to a new role as the treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, and Kit was appointed to replace him as Chief of Protocol, a position with ambassadorial rank requiring Senate confirmation.[1][3] She served in the role from November 3, 1978 to September 26, 1979 during the presidency of Jimmy Carter.[4][5] She became only the second woman to hold this role, following Shirley Temple.[1][3] As Chief of Protocol, she oversaw arrangements for international visits and official ceremonies, including historic events such as the signing of treaties with China in January 1979 during Deng Xiaoping's visit and the Camp David Accords signing on March 29, 1979.[1]

In August 1979, Dobelle was appointed as Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter.[2][3] This newly created position, equivalent in rank and pay to the White House Chief of Staff, involved managing Rosalynn Carter’s 19-member staff and coordinating the First Lady’s activities with senior White House aides.[3] Dobelle noted that the specific reasons for establishing the role were not discussed during her appointment but emphasized her focus on ensuring smooth operations both when the First Lady was present and when she was away.[1][3] During her tenure, Dobelle worked closely with Rosalynn Carter, including accompanying her on trips to Latin America.[3] The two also took Spanish lessons together with Grace Vance and Annette Carter.[1][3] Dobelle’s work involved navigating public scrutiny and criticism of the First Lady’s staff, which some observers described as inexperienced and disorganized.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l McManus, Margaret (1979-05-20). "Kit Dobell smooths the affairs of state". The Courier-Journal. p. 110. Retrieved 2024-11-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Monachina, Judith (January 22, 2021). "Front row seat to history: Pittsfield resident shares her experiences as Carter's chief of protocol". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rosalynn's New Chief Can't Explain Appointment". The Grand Rapids Press. 1979-08-19. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-11-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Edith Huntington Jones Dobelle - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov.
  5. ^ "US Chief of Protocol". www.nndb.com.
[edit]
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